Instructional Objectives:
From this lesson students will be able to:
Measure the altitudes of celestial objects
Determine their altitude on Earth from using an astrolabe
Explain why the circumpolar stars don't set
Explain how the stars move in the sky
Explain why the North Star is fixed in the same spot in the sky
Describe how the North Star has been used as a means of navagation
Introduction:
Students will be asked about their star gazing assignment from the previous night. What did they notice about the stars and the movement of the big dipper? What does it mean? The students’ responses will be posted on the board. After a discussion the teacher will ask students why is the North Star a reliable one to follow if lost? Why is it always in the same spot and never changes like other constellations and stars? The discussion will lead into a brief lecture on the North Star (Polaris) and how it is part of the circumpolar stars/constellations which never set but rotate around the star Polaris. After, students will also learn how Polaris be used not only for guiding people North but it can also give you the latitude of where you are on Earth.
Body:
Students will learn about what an astrolabe is and how it can be used to determine the latitude you are at on Earth and measure the altitude of celestial objects. Students will also learn how Christopher Columbus took many sightings of Polaris using an astrolabe to determine how far north above the equator he was. After, students will make their own astrolabe in class to use during their fourth star observation assignment. Students will use the astrolabe to find Polaris and determine their latitude on Earth and the altitude of the North Star. Students will be given instructions on how to make the astrolabe. The teacher will model step by step on how to make them. After the astrolabes are made the teacher will show students how they will use them.
Conclusion:
Students will discuss their findings from their astrolabe by writing the latitude and altitude they came up with during their observations on the board. The teacher will start a discussion by having everyone in the class compare the latitudes and altitudes they got. If some people got the same number for both measurements the teacher will ask the students why they think that happened. After the discussion the teacher will give the students the correct numbers they should have gotten for both measurements and discuss why the altitude and latitude are the same numbers.
Assessment:
Students will be assesed by their ability to:
Participate in discussions
Measure latitude using an astrolabe
Measure the altitude of celestial objects using an astrolabe
Explain why th altitude and latitude would be the same measurement
Sources:
Harrington, P, & Pascuzzi, E (1994). Astronomy For All Ages: Discovering the Universe Through Activities For Children And Adults.Old Saybrook: The Globe Pequot Press.
Unit: Stars
Topic: Stellar Navagation
Instructional Objectives:
From this lesson students will be able to:
Introduction:
Students will be asked about their star gazing assignment from the previous night. What did they notice about the stars and the movement of the big dipper? What does it mean? The students’ responses will be posted on the board. After a discussion the teacher will ask students why is the North Star a reliable one to follow if lost? Why is it always in the same spot and never changes like other constellations and stars? The discussion will lead into a brief lecture on the North Star (Polaris) and how it is part of the circumpolar stars/constellations which never set but rotate around the star Polaris. After, students will also learn how Polaris be used not only for guiding people North but it can also give you the latitude of where you are on Earth.
Body:
Students will learn about what an astrolabe is and how it can be used to determine the latitude you are at on Earth and measure the altitude of celestial objects. Students will also learn how Christopher Columbus took many sightings of Polaris using an astrolabe to determine how far north above the equator he was. After, students will make their own astrolabe in class to use during their fourth star observation assignment. Students will use the astrolabe to find Polaris and determine their latitude on Earth and the altitude of the North Star. Students will be given instructions on how to make the astrolabe. The teacher will model step by step on how to make them. After the astrolabes are made the teacher will show students how they will use them.
Conclusion:
Students will discuss their findings from their astrolabe by writing the latitude and altitude they came up with during their observations on the board. The teacher will start a discussion by having everyone in the class compare the latitudes and altitudes they got. If some people got the same number for both measurements the teacher will ask the students why they think that happened. After the discussion the teacher will give the students the correct numbers they should have gotten for both measurements and discuss why the altitude and latitude are the same numbers.
Assessment:
Students will be assesed by their ability to:
Sources:
Harrington, P, & Pascuzzi, E (1994). Astronomy For All Ages: Discovering the Universe Through Activities For Children And Adults.Old Saybrook: The Globe Pequot Press.
Teacher Resources: